Protective Seals and Screens in TfL Bus Cabs

Keith Prince: In your response to Question 2020/2526 you indicate that Drivers do not have to wear masks because of, inter alia, protective seals and screens that were installed in the cab “following work to minimise the risks to staff by Transport for London (TfL), Unite the union, and bus operators”. Did TfL receive any assurance from any independent competent authority that certifies that the protective screens and other measures described by you significantly reduce Covid-19 Risk to Bus Drivers? If so, can you please provide me with this official documentation?

The Mayor: The safety of its staff and customers is Transport for London’s (TfL’s) highest priority.
In April this year, it commissioned a multidisciplinary team from University College London’s Centre for Transport Studies and Department of Civil, Environmental & Geomatic Engineering to explore measures to mitigate the occupational risk posed to London bus drivers from the Covid-19 pandemic, following the tragic deaths of a number of drivers working for bus operators within London. The UCL analysis and modelling confirmed that adding a film layer to assault screens and sealing off gaps around the screens – steps that have already been taken across our fleet – substantially reduces the risk to drivers of contracting coronavirus from customers. The findings of the research have now been published and can be found via the link below: http://content.tfl.gov.uk/sshrp20201104-item06-additional-information-ucl-report.pdf
TfL has also commissioned a wider independent study into London bus driver deaths from Covid-19 from UCL’s Institute of Health Equity. The first stage of this research has been published (http://content.tfl.gov.uk/initial-assessment-of-london-bus-driver-mortality-from-covid-19.pdf) and the second stage will be released once complete, which will examine wider occupational and non-occupational factors involved in the risks posed by Covid-19.
Before the changes to the cabs were made, a number of actions were taken by TfL and the Bus Operators. Covid-19 risk assessments were carried out and these identified changes required within the driver’s cab. Buses went to middle door boarding (where possible) and the relocation of Oyster card readers was investigated. Masks were available to be worn by drivers at their own discretion (as is still the case now), and air conditioning (which used recirculating air) was turned off with instructions to leave the window open for natural ventilation, until they could be modified to draw fresh air.

384 bus [3]

Andrew Dismore: The new section of Salisbury Road on the eastbound routing is proving entirely unsuitable and buses are getting into stand-offs with vehicles coming in the other direction. This has led not only to long delays but also to buses dangerously reversing back onto Alston Road and running along the old routing of Alston Road and Strafford Road, but without letting people on and off there. Will you ask TfL to reconsider this section of the route?

The Mayor: TfL has found that rerouting 384 eastbound via Salisbury Road has minimised the distance and number of turning manoeuvres while continuing to provide coverage to otherwise remote areas. Running via Salisbury Road is 250 metres shorter than running via Alston and Strafford Road has removed conflict between east and westbound buses on these roads. Given this applies to every trip every day, cumulatively this is a reduction of 4,000 kilometres per annum.
TfL monitoring of before and after journey times in the local area show that they have reduced on average from 3.1 to 2.4 minutes between unchanged stops on Union Street and Salisbury Road (east). It also indicates less variability in journey time than the previous route which indicates fewer incidents of buses getting blocked. TfL is continuing to monitor the new routeing, its journey times and its variability to see if this remains the case.

384 bus [1]

Andrew Dismore: Residents report that there have been continuing problems with the implementation of the changes to the 384 bus route, firstly with incorrect information at bus stops. Information was not provided at the removed bus stops or hail-and-ride posts indicating where passengers now need to go to catch the bus, so this has meant many people waiting for buses never to show up. This has especially impacted elderly people who may find using the online planners more difficult. Timetables have still not been updated on the retained bus stops and hail-and-ride posts, so unless people have access to live apps they don't know when to expect the bus, which again has a very negative impact for a bus that runs only every 20 minutes/30 minutes. Will you ensure this information is updated at once?

The Mayor: Route 384 was rerouted on 29 August 2020, resulting in changes to its timetable and to roads served. However, there was a delay with Transport for London’s (TfL) contractor updating timetables at stopping locations when the route changed. This was corrected on 9 September and temporary timetables were displayed. All stops on the route were updated with standard TfL timetables by 18 September. Stop posts and old timetables on roads no longer served by route 384 have also been removed. TfL is sorry for this error and the delay in changing the information.
When there is a permanent bus service change such as this, TfL will prioritise updating the information at stops that will no longer be served. However, in some cases, the infrastructure may be inaccessible or removed, as was the case here, where some of the hail and ride points did not have a frame to contain such a notice.

Microsoft Spend

Andrew Boff: What is the cost of Microsoft hardware and software for each functional body?

The Mayor: The cost of Microsoft hardware and software for the 2020/21 financial year until 12 November 2020 is detailed below:
Functional Body
Spend FY20/21
LFC
£1,110,059.03
TfL
£15,118,219.07
GLA
£674,331.82

384 bus [2]

Andrew Dismore: Drivers on the new 384 bus route are refusing to stop on Victoria Road sometimes, or doing parts of the old routing and parts of the new one. So now the whole of New Barnet town centre is often completely bypassed and people needing Sainsbury's and the shops have nowhere to catch the bus. There are even some reports that drivers are running fast all the way from Station Road to Baring Road/Westbrook Crescent, then fast all the way from Baring Road to Mount Pleasant, and not stopping on any of the new sections in between at all. Will you ask Metroline to rectify this?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) has passed the concerns you raise to Metroline and asked it to ensure that drivers serve all stops on the new routeing. TfL has also worked with LB Barnet and Metroline to clarify that buses can stop on double yellow lines to allow customers to board and alight on the new hail and ride section on Victoria Road. This is after some drivers had not been stopping there, thinking it was not permitted. All drivers should now be clear that they can stop on Victoria Road and TfL apologises to any customers inconvenienced by this confusion.